TOM CRUISE NAMED RECIPIENT OF LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

LOS ANGELES, OCTOBER 21 /SRNA-Reuters/ – Actor Tom Cruise will receive the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award, which will be presented to him in April next year, organizers announced today.

The award is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of film.

"As an actor and producer, he brings extraordinary commitment to everything he does. What I particularly admire is his deep belief in movies and their ability to bring people together," said Kathleen Kennedy, chairperson of the American Film Institute's Board of Trustees.

Previous recipients of the institute's award include Bette Davis, Gene Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Tom Hanks.

Cruise has been nominated for an Academy Award three times and received an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement last year.